Hollywood's glitziest night went unnoticed by one of its usual commentators, Donald Trump. On the evening of the 98th Academy Awards, the former president took to Truth Social, not to discuss the glamorous event, but to address a medley of political topics like his tariffs, the government shutdown, and primary elections. Curiously absent from his virtual soapbox? The Oscars themselves, despite the night being peppered with political jabs aimed at him.
“As you know there are some countries whose leaders don’t support free speech. I’m not at liberty to say which. Let’s just leave it at North Korea and CBS.” – Jimmy Kimmel during the Oscars, stirring the pot with a mix of humor and politics.
Hosted by the ever-witty Conan O’Brien, the Oscars at the iconic Dolby Theatre was more than just a celebration of film. It was a stage for political commentary, with several presenters seizing the moment to speak out on issues like international conflict and social justice. During his opening monologue, O’Brien didn’t miss the chance to poke fun at Trump, drawing a spirited reaction from the audience. Jimmy Kimmel, while presenting an award, kept the political theme alive, referencing countries without free speech and taking lighter jabs at Trump's family.
In a town where everything is fair game for commentary, Trump's silence on the Oscars is almost as loud as if he had replied. The awards show, despite not being the focal point of his ire this time around, still saw its share of politically charged moments, with speeches and jokes touching on current hot topics. Typically, Trump has not shied away from clashing with Hollywood figures like Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, but this time, he chose the silent treatment, leaving us all to wonder what he really thought of the night’s festivities.